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Rayo Vallecano entertain Espanyol at the Estadio de Vallecas in La Liga action on Sunday.
The hosts have been in good form in their recent outings and are in sixth place in the league standings. They are unbeaten at home this season and should head into the fixture with a sense of confidence about them here. After a 1-1 draw last Sunday against Valencia, they returned to winning ways in the Copa Del Rey against Guijuelo, beating the third division side on penalties.
Espanyol beat Real Sociedad last Sunday and were victorious in their midweek Copa Del Rey clash against Solares, beating the third division side 3-2 on Thursday.
Rayo Vallecano vs Espanyol Head-to-Head
There have been 36 meetings between the two sides across all competitions. Espanyol hold the upper hand at the moment and have 16 wins to their name, exactly twice the number of wins the hosts have recorded in this fixture.
The spoils have been shared 12 times between them. They met in the Segunda Division last season, with both games ending in a win for Los Franjirrojos. Their last meeting ended in a 3-2 win for Rayo Vallecano, who scored thrice in the second half to ensure a comeback win at the RCDE Stadium.
Rayo Vallecano form guide (all competitions): W-D-W-L-D
Espanyol form guide (all competitions): W-W-L-W-L
Rayo Vallecano vs Espanyol Team News
Rayo Vallecano
Martín Merquelanz is a confirmed absentee for the hosts with a sprained knee. Santi Comesaña picked up a yellow card against Valencia and will be suspended after the accumulation of five yellow cards.
Here are the other possible absentees for the home side -
- Radamel Falcao - Faces late fitness test
- Pathé Ciss - Muscle injury
- Randy Nteka - Sprained ankle
Injured: Martin Merquelanz
Doubtful: Randy Nteka, Radamel Falcao, Pathé Ciss
Suspended: Santi Comesaña
Espanyol
Captain David Lopez underwent an ankle injury and is ruled out for the remainder of the year. Here are the other injury concerns for the visiting side -
- Landry Dimata - Did not train ahead of the game
- Álvaro Vadillo - Did not train ahead of the game
- Oscar Gil - Knee injury
Injured: David Lopez, Oscar Gil
Doubtful: Landry Dimata, Álvaro Vadillo
Suspended: None
Rayo Vallecano vs Espanyol Predicted XI
Rayo Vallecano Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Stole Dimitrievski; Iván Balliu, Esteban Saveljich, Alejandro Catena, Fran García; Óscar Valentín, Unai López; Isi Palazón, Óscar Trejo, Álvaro García; Sergi Guardiola
Espanyol Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Diego López; Aleix Vidal, Sergi Gómez, Leandro Cabrera, Adriá Pedrosa; Keidi Bare, Yangel Herrera; Adrián Embarba, Sergi Darder, Javi Puado; Raúl de Tomás
Rayo Vallecano vs Espanyol Prediction
Rayo Vallecano have not lost a home game this season and won five of the six games played at Sunday's venue.
Espanyol have played well in their recent outings but have been winless in their travels in the league, so we expect the hosts to eke out a narrow win here.
Prediction: Rayo Vallecano 1-0 Espanyol.
